SHANGLA: A schoolboy drowned in the Kana River here on Monday afternoon after falling off a suspension bridge in the Bela Ganshal area.

The body of Amjad Ali, 17, wasn’t found until late evening.

Police said the incident occurred as the schoolboy was on the way to home.

They said they, along with residents, were searching for the body.

Shangla has scores of suspension bridges and chairlifts that are used by residents for transport between high-altitude areas and over rivers.

ROADS OPENED: Shangla deputy commissioner Ziaur Rehman on Monday announced that the roads blocked in the district due to recent downpour and landslides had been opened to traffic.

In a statement, the DC said the Bisham-Kormang Road, Chakesar-Martung Road, Martung-Puran Road, Karora-Chakesar Road, Chakesar-Dehrai Road and link roads were blocked at several points during and after the recent heavy rains.

He added that all those roads had been cleared by the communication and works department and tehsil municipal administrations.

Mr Rehman said rehabilitation of water pipelines, power poles and pedestrian paths was under way in the rain-affected areas.

STRIKE: Trader unions in Shangla district on Monday announced a shutter down strike against the government’s plan to impose taxes.

Union members made the announcement in various bazaars and urged traders to down shutters to pressure the government to extend tax exemptions in the region.

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2024